Critter News

NOVEMBER 30, 2010

New Jersey’s first bear hunt in five years is just a week away and set to go on as planned despite a last-ditch effort by several animal rights organizations to have the hunt postponed. The facts are clear, we have an overpopulation of black bears in New Jersey, and we must address that issue," said Martin in a press statement. "A Tags: cull new jersey bears hunting Despite efforts by animal rights activists to stop this hunt, it is scheduled to continue.

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New Jersey 2010 Bears Hunting 122

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2014

Yesterday, Saturday, 19 July, an apparent European Golden-Plover was found in a sod field in western New Jersey in Pittsdown, which is in Hunterdon County. Fortunately, some able and capable birders refound the bird early this morning and reported it to the listservs so I abandoned my fruitless seawatch on the coast of Queens, hopped in my trusty Ford Focus, and raced west through Brooklyn, Staten Island, and across New Jersey.

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New Jersey 2014 Germany Abandon 55

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Mentioning New Jersey often raises a snicker or a run down of all the drama and negative stereotypes that swirl around the Garden State, most of which are typified by the MTV hit show, “Jersey Shore.” ” While certain New Jersey decisions may be dubious, their state bird, the American Goldfinch, is a beautiful choice. Birds american goldfinchs New Jersey state bird

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New Jersey 2015 Legislature Iowa 53

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2014

And, if the first book in the series, the American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of New Jersey by Rick Wright (author) and Brian E. As a birder who frequently birds New Jersey (and sometimes works and lives there), I am so happy that New Jersey is ABA state number one! The text ends with a description or transcription of the bird’s song or call, whichever vocalization the birder is most likely to hear in New Jersey.

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New Jersey 2014 Colorado Nashville 82

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Sometimes my job, which is for a New Jersey-wide labor union, requires me to meet in Bayonne, across the Hudson River, which at that point is indistinguishable from New York Harbor, from Staten Island. To get there from Queens I have to drive through heavy commuter traffic down into Brooklyn, cross the Williamsburg Bridge into lower Manhattan, drive across Manhattan to the Holland Tunnel, and then drive the New Jersey Turnpike to Bayonne.

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New Jersey 2011 New York Killing 78

10,000 Birds

APRIL 16, 2012

The pine barrens of New Jersey look rather plain and boring if you only see them while driving past on the Garden State Parkway or New Jersey Turnpike. By the time urban and suburban sprawl started to reach New Jersey’s pine barrens they were largely protected and today over 1.1 millions acres are protected as the Pinelands National Reserve where development is controlled by an agency called the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.

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New Jersey 2012 New York City Leopards 73

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2014

We were four intrepid birders heading out of New York City to the wilds of New Jersey for birds, birds and more birds. ” Sandy Hook, our destination, is park of Gateway National Recreation Area like many of my favorite New York City birding locations. It curves up towards New York City from the east coast of New Jersey, and forms the southern boundary of Lower New York Harbor. … Trips New Jersey Sandy Hook

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New Jersey 2014 New York City New York 59

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2013

Back on 14 January Larry and Shari Zirlin were fortunate enough to come across an amazing three Northern Lapwings in a field in New Egypt, New Jersey, while out looking for a pair of reported Sandhill Cranes. I had been wishing I could get to see them but between family and job it just wasn’t working out for me to make the 90-minute ride to New Egypt. … Trips lapwings New Jersey Northern Lapwing rarities Twitching

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New Jersey 2013 Egypt Family 56

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

There were a host of great shorebirds in New York’s Orange County on Thursday early in the day but reports of roads being flooded out and the rather long distance, almost two hours travel from Queens, made that idea a reject. I had been hearing of the White Ibis in northern New Jersey for a couple of days and when I checked into its exact location I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was about ten miles from my job.

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New Jersey 2011 New York United States 74

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

… Trips Cape May doggerel New Jersey poetry terns Twitching vagrant Whiskered Tern The recent hubbub in the northeastern United States in terms of rare birds has been all about the Whiskered Tern at Cape May, the third record of this species for North America. All three of those records are from Cape May. You can read more about this awesome bird here. All I really need to say is that I got to Cape May, saw the bird, and was happy.

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2014 United States North America New Jersey 80

10,000 Birds

JULY 27, 2018

Northern Cardinal , Blue Jay , Northern Mockingbird – not drawn to scale but completely ok for New Jersey. Destinations Camp Crystal Lake escaped birds introduced species New JerseyBirders deal with the summer doldrums in a number of different ways – some turn to herping, and others to dragonflies; some travel, and others patiently watch the garden for fledgings and second nestings.

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2018 Litter Game Hunters 41

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2013

The video above, taken yesterday at New Jersey’s Stone Harbor Point by Tom Johnson , is pretty awesome. Birds Bird Behavior falcons New Jersey owls Peregrine Falcon Snowy Owl He was simultaneously filming with two different devices so the video starts with the wide-angle view and then starts over again with the closer look.

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Falcons Owls 2013 New Jersey 85

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

I think every naturalist in the United States knows the outlines of this urban tale: The pristine marshes of New Jersey are poisoned by pollution, toxic waste, pig farms, and probably every single way in which human beings can destroy the environment. Bruce Springsteen lyrics about “the swamps of Jersey” from his popular song Rosalita didn’t help matters.) This is the fable of the New Jersey Meadowlands and it is all true. Reviews books Meadowlands New Jersey

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2013 Arlington Legislation Coyotes 65

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2012

Their fondness for open woods means that they often adapt well to breeding in parks and it was Van Saun Park in New Jersey’s Bergen County that I found the individual shown in this blog post. Birds New Jersey Van Saun Park vireos Warbling Vireo“If I sees you I will seize you and I’ll squeeze you ’til you squirt.” ” -Every Warbling Vireo to every caterpillar ever Warbling Vireos are not much to see.

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2012 Philadelphia United States Mexico 76

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2017

Last weekend we had an extended family weekend at a beach house in Wildwood, New Jersey, just north of Cape May. Birds Cape May New Jersey saltmarsh Seaside Sparrow sparrowsAnd while I would have liked to have spent hours exploring the various birding hotspots in Cape May proper, I compromised and instead explored the saltmarsh and dune scrub habitat at the Two Mile Unit of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.

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2017 Sparrows Hunting Wildlife 40

10,000 Birds

MAY 18, 2012

The bird in these photos was foraging in the pond at the south end of Van Saun Park in northern New Jersey, a place I often stop to bird briefly on my way to work. Birds Bergen County New Jersey shorebirds Spotted Sandpiper Van Saun ParkSpotted Sandpipers are cool little birds, easily identified by a host of field marks and behaviors.

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2012 Chile North America South America 72

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2012

Flatrock Brook is in the the city of Englewood, New Jersey, just across the George Washington Bridge from New York City. They were gone from New York State from the 1840s until around 1948 and in New Jersey from the mid-1800s until they were reintroduced in 1977.) Birds Bergen County Flatrock Brook Nature Center New Jersey turkeys

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Turkey Feral Cats 2012 New York City 65

10,000 Birds

JUNE 7, 2011

According to the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey (link is a PDF) there are thirteen species of turtle that can be found in the state, so I have already spotted just under a third of the turtle species that there are to see in the Garden State. Unfortunately, I have not managed a decent photograph of a Snapping Turtle in New Jersey yet, so you will have to be happy with shots of only three of the species I have spotted.

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Turtles Terrapins 2011 United States 74

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2012

On Wednesday morning I had a meeting in Bayonne, New Jersey for my job and as is my wont I left my house in Queens early to beat the traffic and therefore found myself with a little over an hour to kill before my meeting. Rather than do my usual stroll on the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway by the Bayonne Golf Club I thought I would try someplace new that John had recommended and made my way to Bayonne Park on the west side of Bayonne, on the edge of Newark Bay.

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2012 Sparrows Investigation New Jersey 72

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2012

Ever since part of assignment at work has involved me spending time in Bayonne, New Jersey, I have found time before or after meetings to get out for short birding outings in a couple of the parks with better habitat in Bayonne. My most recent outing netted me three new species for my Hudson County list – Nelson’s Sparrow , Blackpoll Warbler , and Golden-crowned Kinglet. … Trips Bayonne Hudson County listing New Jersey

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2012 Sparrows New Jersey Experience 68

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2012

In Bergen County, New Jersey’s northeasternmost county, there are quite a few small county parks that are popular with dog-walkers, joggers, parents looking for somewhere to take their kids, and teenagers looking for places that their parents aren’t. I was ahead of schedule getting to work so I stopped off at the park on the way to my office because I had a new lens I wanted to try out with my digiscoping rig.

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2012 United States New Jersey Eagles 68

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2011

Despite my manic work schedule of late my positioning in southern New Jersey does lend itself to an occasional, if brief, birding outing when the stars align properly and I am near a birdy spot when I suddenly find myself with a free hour or so. Trips auto loop Brigantine new jersey

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Terrapins 2011 Sparrows New Jersey 60

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2011

One of the benefits of working for a union that represents workers all over the state of New Jersey is that on occasion I find myself near a great birding location after having finished work for the day. Birds Brigantine gulls larids Laughing Gull New JerseyFor example, a couple of weeks ago I found myself with several hours of daylight left and within ten minutes of Brigantine!

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2011 United States Ethics Fish 64

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2011

Trips Cape May Higbee Beach WMA morning flight New JerseyIt is early, pre-dawn, and the sky is just lightening in the east when you arrive. You park your car, gather your optical equipment, take a last gulp of glorious coffee, and get out of your car. The whole area is alive with movement and chip notes but you can’t take the time to figure out what it is you are hearing and barely seeing because you have an even more difficult birding challenge ahead of you.

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2011 Bald Eagle New Jersey Woodpeckers 78

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2012

Behind the Outback Steakhouse at Edgewater Commons, a shopping center across the Hudson River from New York City, is a rusted pile of wreckage that is gradually falling apart and into the river. I work in New Jersey and my job often takes me to random spots around the northeastern portion of the state. Birding Bergen County Canvasback ducks Edgewater New Jersey

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2012 New York City Geese Canada 60

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2012

To that list, I would like to add New Jersey Birds and Beyond , by Sue Puder. New Jersey Birds and Beyond showcases about 180 bird species commonly found in New Jersey, from Great Blue Heron to Red-winged Blackbird, as well as some exceptional visitors, such as the Cape May Ivory Gull. The book is organized by habitat, with chapters on the Jersey shore (the longest section); Grasslands, Meadows, and Marshes; Woodlands and Lakes; and Pine Barrens.

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New Jersey Porcupines Delaware 2012 46

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2011

Because of my job I have, of late, been spending lots of time in southern New Jersey. Of course I have not been spending time in the southernmost part of New Jersey because, as a birder, I could never be lucky enough to have to work in Cape May. No, I get to be in southwestern New Jersey, just across the river from Philadelphia. a singing Song Sparrow *All of this information was gleaned from the Camden, New Jersey Wikipedia page.

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2011 Delaware Philadelphia Homelessness 53

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2011

Maybe New Jersey isn’t so bad after all… If you liked this post and want to see more great images of birds make sure to check out 10,000 Clicks , our big (and growing) page of galleries here at 10,000 Birds. Birds Brigantine clapper rail new jersey railsEveryone knows what a jinx bird is. It is a bird that dodges you like sanity does Michele Bachmann. No matter how hard you try to find a jinx bird it eludes you.

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2011 New Jersey Wildlife Species 55

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2011

It has an enormous range, occurring in such far-flung locales as New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Alaska, Greenland, and Brazil, to name just a few. Birds Brigantine new jersey shorebirds turnstonesI usually spot Ruddy Turnstones in winter, hunkered down on windswept jetties being blasted by salt spray in the company of Purple Sandpipers. Either that, or I see them in spring with hordes of other shorebirds feeding on the eggs of Horseshoe Crabs.

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Saudi Arabia 2011 Brazil Alaska 55

Critter News

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

California and New Jersey came out on top. It's their first annual "humane state" report. Ohio, Mississippi, North Dakota, Idaho and South Dakota are at the bottom.

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2010 Humane South Dakota Idaho 100

Critter News

JANUARY 3, 2011

New Jersey Illinois Massachusetts Colorado Maine WORST STATES Ohio Hawaii Alabama North Dakota Mississippi Idaho South Dakota (worst) According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the states fell this way. According to this Technorati article , the Humane Society rated the states on their animal protection laws. BEST STATES California (best-yay!)

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Animal Protection Protection Animal Legal Defense Fund For Animals 139

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2012

It is unclear exactly why this particular causeway is so deadly for gulls but the New Jersey Department of Transportation is trying to make things better. Asides

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New Jersey Transported 2012 55

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 15, 2008

New Jersey is thinning its deer herd. How many of you oppose this? What would you do instead

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Deer New Jersey 2008 40

Critter News

OCTOBER 17, 2009

Six members of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty were convicted at a 2006 trial in New Jersey of conspiracy to violate the 1992 Animal Enterprise Protection Act. Huntingdon used mostly mice and rats , but also some dogs, monkeys, fish and guinea pigs , in its research in New Jersey. It was a 2-1 decision by the US Court of Appeals. From the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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2009 Guinea Pigs Protest Protesting 100

Critter News

DECEMBER 26, 2008

And the worst: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, South Dakota, Wyoming You can check out the whole report on their web site. The ALDF has released a report on how different states' animal protection laws stack up. Among the best: California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon.

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Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Protection 2008 Guam 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2012

All of these birds were photographed in the last couple of months in New York and New Jersey as they made their way south on their amazing migration. Every fall and spring for the last several years I have been putting together a collection of wood-warblers spotted on migration. Why stop now? I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed photographing them!

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New Jersey New York 2012 Nashville 67

4 The Love Of Animals

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Sarah Atlas is a search-and-rescue dog handler, one of many civilian volunteers who serve with New Jersey Task Force 1. They were to be deployed to Ground Zero with 200 other members of New Jersey Task Force 1, including structural engineers and medical workers, as well as other search-and-rescue people. The ceremony will be held at Liberty State Park at 12:45 and will begin with with the National 9/11 Moment of Remembrance, led by New Jersey Senator Frank R.

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2011 New Jersey Rescue Dogs 142

Critter News

JULY 5, 2010

On Friday, the beagles — owned by a research facility in New Jersey whose parent pharmaceutical company went into bankruptcy — were released to the care of animal rescue groups that, after socializing them, hope to adopt them out as family pets. Good news! From ohmidog! a site for dog lovers. One hundred and twenty beagles who faced lifetimes being used in medical research experiments have been freed — just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

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2010 Rescue Medical Research Utah 109

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2012

You see, on my ride down from New York on Wednesday I gave myself enough time to do a quick loop of Brigantine, the rightfully famous National Wildlife Refuge that sits just north and west of Atlantic City. … Trips Atlantic City Brigantine falcons migration New Jersey Peregrine FalconAtlantic City is known for gambling. Atlantic City is known for its boardwalk. Atlantic City is now known for Peregrine Falcons. Wait, what?

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2012 Game New Jersey New York 66

4 The Love Of Animals

AUGUST 21, 2012

Best Friends Pet Care is a leading national pet care company and offers boarding, daycare, grooming and training at 42 locations across 18 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

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2012 Dogs Oklahoma Maryland 176

Critter News

AUGUST 1, 2009

Canary fighting is the new blood sport in Shelton, Conn. This blood sport was so popular that it actually attracted audiences from Boston and New Jersey. From the WTF files.and reported by the Associated Content news site. Aficionados range in age from 26 to 62, and it is more widespread than you think.

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2009 Boston New Jersey Raised 100

4 The Love Of Animals

JULY 27, 2012

Canine athletes are jumping through hoops to capture the gold at Doggy Games in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Texas. London isn’t the only town where athletes are bringing home the gold this week. Best Friends Pet Care ( www.bestfriendspetcare.com ) is hosting its own version – the Doggy Olympic Games — at more than a dozen locations across the U.S. Just check out these amazing doggy athletes!

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Game 2012 Maryland Indiana 166

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Tinton Falls, New Jersey, is desperately trying to find a way to chase “seagulls” from their borough. The Monmouth County municipality seems to be the victim of gull control measures at the nearby landfill. How does a place rid itself of a horde of gulls? And why would they want to? Asides

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